Cleaner for power-driven rotary hand tools, especially dental burrs



- E. E BUSKIRK ,4 CLEANER FOR POWER DRIVEN ROTARY HAND TOOLS, ESPECIALLY DENTAL BURRS Filed Jan. 5, 1946 Aug. 9, 1949.

Patented Aug. 9,

- UNITED. v I SITATEIS PATENT OFFICE CLEANER FOR POWER-DRIVEN ROTARY HAND TOOLS, ESPECIALLY DENTAL,

BURRS Elmore E. Buskirk, Adrian, Mien. Application January 5, 1946, Serial No. 639,435

This invention relates to sanitation and upkeep equipment features, more particularly for tools as requiring extended use in surgery.

This invention has utility when incorporated in mechanical cleansing and sterilizing of .cutting tools of the burr type, as in dental surgery/ Referring to the .drawings:.

Fig. I is aside eleyation,.with parts broken away, of an embodimentof the. invention for brush cleaningand simultaneously. sterilizing a dental burr, shown as thrust thereinto for reciprocation during rotation thereof;

Fig. II, is a plan view of the cleansing and sterile izing device of Fig.1; and

Fig. III is a section on the line III-III, Fig. II, showing the device or unit in released position, and thereby differing from the showing in Fig. I.

A yieldable rim or base member I may function as a suction cup mounting r anchor for an open top cup or vessel having a bottom 2 at the suction cup region, and cylindrical riser 3 therefrom to an open top 4.

Adapted to be inserted telescopically into the cylindrical riser 3 is a cylindrical Wall 5 of an inverted cup having a top wall or end 6. Centrally of the top 6 is a guide way or slot I as an opening. Projecting from opposite sides of a lane into meeting and mutually intercepting relation below the slot 1 of the top 6 are bristles 8 from brush backs 9 having upstanding screws It extending thru slots I I in the top 6 extending away from the slot 1. Accordingly the screws III may be operated to release the brush backs 9 for adjustment toward or away from the slot I into more or less close interfitting relation for the bristles 3, or to take up for wear on the bristles due to extended operation or use hereunder.

A light readily yieldable helical spring I2 is in the inverted cup chamber I3 bounded by the cylindrical side 5 and acting from the bottom 2 to thrust against the under side of the top wall 6. The spring I2 in the chamber I3 is clear of the central brush region 8, 9.

Sufliciently down as not to overflow the open top 4, there is a charge I4 of liquid sterilizing medium in the chamber of the upwardly open cup 2, 3. With the inverted cup 5, 6, thereover, the slot I allows the sterilizing liquid I4 to seek its own level as the same both inside and outside of the wall 5. The spring I2 now poises the inverted cup 5, 6, upward sufficiently clear of the liquid It to have the brushes 8, 9 not submerged in the liquid. Accordingly, in practice, the brushes 8, 9, are normally dry and as dry are more stifi or rigid for cleansing action, which stiff 2 Claims. (01. 2i-s2) I T I. 2 V V I or rigid condition persists forjefllcient functioning when momentarily submerged, for such is not of time durationsu'fiicient to soften up the bristles to impart moreflexibilitythereto.

The dental surgeon, -or operatorgretaining a normal directing grasp at'a tool handle I5 may locate its angle drive clutch end fitting I6 to project a tool or burr I1 thru the slot I in the top 6, and thrust the burr' I] back and forth as the underside of the fittingIIi rides 'alongthe edges of the slot 1 lengthwise thereof. In practice, the tool handle I5 is a terminus for a flexible conduit or shield I 8 in which is located'a rotatingflexible' shaft I9. A'source of driving power, as an elec tric motor, or even treadle, may provide the rotation drive for the shaft l9.

Should the operator, in thrusting the burr I1 into the slot 1, exert no downward pressure, but merely reciprocate the burr I I as now rotating past the bristles 8, the burr I1 rotation efiects an efficient burr exposure, supplementing the back and forth movement, to clear the burr I1 of any adherent particles and give it a mechanical dry cleaning. However, the usual practice is for the operator to act to overcome the slight lifting action of the spring I2. By so depressing the top 6 thru pushing the fitting I6 down to ride along the sides of the slot 1, the brushes 8, 9, are at least to some extent submerged in the sterilizing solution I4. Now, the back and forth movement imparted to the fitting I6 by the hand of the operator, supplemented by the spinning motion imparted by the rotating shaft I9 to the burr I'I, brings about a sterilizing washing almost instantaneously. The treated, as well as cleaned tool thus is an important factor in speeding up dental service.

Especially in surgical practice, importance resides in sanitary upkeep of equipment. Should the drill or burr break thru into a disturbed region of infection in the mouth of a patient, the operator may at once thrust the burr I'I thru the slot I, and as depressed into the liquid I4, effect efficient sterilizing cleansing so that he may continue working with the same tool. When the tool is taken from the mouth of the patient, the tool may be thrust into the slot I, and while still rotating, the handle moved back and forth in the range of positioning as determined by the bounds for the slot 1 as a seat for the holder or fitting I 6. With sufiicient down pressure to overcome the spring I2, the brush means 8, 9, are brought into cooperating relation with the bath provided by the sterilizing solution I4. Eflicient sterilized cleansing of the tool or burr I1 is quickly had,

and the work upon the patient may proceed as though a new tool were installed. Furthermore, this rapid clearing of foreign matter from the tool promotes tool life against deleterious attack upon the tool as Well as contributes to retention of initial cutting values of the tool.

It is desirable that the bristles of the brush means 8 so project into= the lane under the slot 7 in their border lddation along the slot 1 for the bristles 8 at least to some extent intermingle at their ends. The top 6 with the screws l0 provides a mounting for the brushes 8, 9.. Thespring I2 responds to depressing actioijithru holder:

I5, [6, on the seat about the slot T, for the 1161- uid I4 to enter into scrubbing or washing action thru the bristles 8 upon the tool l1.

Upon lifting of the handle 15. and clearing of the tool I! from the cleaner, the spring I! at once elevates the brushes 8, 9, clear of tli solution M, for the bristles" to drain dry. Accordingly, a succeeding useofthecleaner at this in-- vention may be-with or. without the-bath action ofthe solution Min then housingdepending upon whether the; mounting 6, be depressed or left up, as the tool 1-1 is brought thereto.

What is claimedv and it is desired to-secure by Letters Patent is': V a

1. An open top cup providing a. receptacle adapted to be'partially filledwith atreating solution, in telescopic relationtherewith an inverted cup having a slot in: the top providing a guide way, brush means depending from the top -on opposite sides or the way withbristleportions therefrom in intersecting relation, and a spring '4 coacting between the cups normally to hold the brush means upward from the solution, whereby a rotary tool may be thrust thru the slot past the brush means to depress the brush means into the solution with the tool directed for lateral reciprocation by the slot as a guide.

2. A pair of relatively telescopic cups, one having a closed bottom anck the other a slotted top with brush means inwardl along the sides of the slot, and a spring poising the slotted top away from the closed bottom to have the brush means 7 clear of a treating, solution charged into the closed bottom cup, whereby the slot provides a guide way for a tool to be slid therealong while protruding into the brush means and depressible to e'xtend-tdtlie solution.

ELMORE E. BUSKIRK.

REFERENCES CITED Number Dec. 26, 1939 FOREIGN PAFI TENTS Country Date 7 Germany -1 1 July 25, 1896 Number 

